Love comes in many shades, from the sparkling pink of a shared glass of champagne or the faded blue of an old paper heart to the shocking orange of a sports car, and everything in between. Whether they’re revisiting a missed opportunity, mustering the courage to take a chance, or simply playing Cupid from the sidelines, the men in this Valentine’s Day anthology celebrate romance in all its myriad hues. Sometimes soft and subdued, sometimes bright and outrageous, the color of love is different for everyone. Childhood sweethearts, unrequited crushes, friends trying to resist their feelings, strangers who see something in each other at first glance, and even beings from the realm of myth and legend explore every stripe on the rainbow in search of their perfect complement. From sweet to red hot, these stories span the spectrum and revel in the humor, happiness, and hope of the most romantic day of the year.

Stories included:

The Colors of Romance by Ashavan Doyon Love and an (Orange) Lamborghini by MA Ford In Trouble with Angels by Felicitas Ivey Under the Table and Into His Heart by Raine O'Tierney Blue Valentine Blues by Ken Bachtold The Accidental Cupid by Xavier Mayne Aunt Adeline's Bequest by Amy Rae Durreson Pretty Sally Couldn't Marry Albert by Jefferson Parrish Orange You Glad I Said Kiss by David Connor Come Clean by Dawn Kimberly Johnson Campfire Confessions by Bru Baker Valentine Shower by John C. Houser A Cupid's Wager by Deanna Wadsworth A Secret Valentine by B.G. Thomas

Welcome to Sam’s Café, where men from all walks of life gather for the best coffee in town and to try their hands at the King’s Game. Through challenges on and off the board, they move toward an endgame that might involve romance and a happily ever after—if they make the right moves.

The King’s Mate

Sam convinces Russell Pine to act as grandmaster in a chess tournament, but he soon learns the game isn’t the real challenge. A secret admirer is courting Russ through words and pictures. But in a café full of beautiful young minds, who could be interested in the aging chessmaster?

A Wounded Promise

With his abusive ex behind bars, Justin is eager to pursue his relationship with Russ. But when an alcohol-induced rage rekindles Justin’s trauma, Russ will have to find a way to make amends for his mistake and heal the wounds on his lover’s heart.

The Rodeo Knight

Amnesiac Brian Stouten doesn’t fit into the heterosexual life laid out by his family, so he returns to a small college town in search of clues to his past. The man he hopes to contact won’t be of any help—but an out-of-place cowboy just might.

Russell Pine comes to Sam’s Café every morning to enjoy the best coffee in town and to chat with Sam Tesh, the owner, a loyal friend for the past twenty years. When Sam offers him a challenge, Russ reluctantly takes it on, acting as the master opponent in a chess tournament. As the days pass and the hopefuls fall to the chess mastermind one by one, Russ discovers that the contest isn’t the only game being played.

Russ finds himself the focus of a secret courtship through words and pictures left for him to discover each morning. Will a hint of cologne on the paper lead him to his admirer? In a café full of young and beautiful minds, who is looking at the graying chess master?

Struck by amnesia after a car crash, Brian Stouten has been living a life laid out by his family, a heterosexual life that just doesn’t fit. When he learns it was all a lie, he returns to the small college town that’s his only clue to his past. But the town is still unfamiliar, and the man he’d hoped would make all his memories return is on a honeymoon with another man. To add insult to injury, everyone thinks Brian died in the crash. It’s only when an out-of-place cowboy asks to bum a smoke that Brian realizes this trip was meant to be.

Sylvester Thomas has always fought a secret desire, and done it successfully. But when geeky Brian offers him a smoke and a light, a simple brush of hands has Sylvester’s hidden passions burning deep. Did he make a mistake letting Brian walk away?

Gerald Tanner lost the piece of his life he loved most, his husband Adam. When faced with the prospect of another Christmas with a family who thinks he's better off now that Adam is gone, Gerry decides instead to revisit the memory of when they met, and boards a Christmas cruise on the Sunrise. He's not expecting to meet Leo Ystrabov. He certainly never imagined the courageous young man would challenge him into feelings of desire and the possibility of a love that isn't his precious Adam.

Leo Ystrabov doesn't quite know how to handle the shattered heart Gerry presents so hesitantly. But the offer is precious, and Leo can't resist. However, with two families none too eager to accept them and a lot of baggage on both sides, their relationship faces an uphill battle. Leo will have to find his courage to be the lion Gerry sees in him.

Having survived one nightmare of a relationship, Justin Tesh thought he'd left the worst behind when he put his ex Peter behind bars. But when his new lover, Russell Pine, explodes in a fit of alcohol-fueled rage, Justin finds himself frozen with a fear he thought he’d long since worked through. While older, more experienced Russ is anxious to put the incident behind them, avoiding personal issues never works, and for Justin, his fear is an open doorway to demons both he and Russ need to confront.

Despite their histories of loss and pain, Russ has faith in the promise of their relationship. But if he can't heal the wound he's inflicted on his lover’s heart, he risks losing Justin forever to Peter’s legacy of brutality.

Caleb McDonnell lives his life online. A thirty-year-old fast food worker, he spends his time talking in an Internet world where his job and living conditions can't dictate his friendships. He's found acceptance, friendship, and even romance. But when an online friend is revealed as a fake, Caleb loses all sense of trust. To stave off the emotional collapse of his betrayal, Caleb leaves his online life behind and retreats into the monotony of his job.

Nicodemus Rokos feels like his heart has been torn out. He knew Caleb would be hurt, but he'd hoped not to be shut out of his boyfriend's life. He can only hope Caleb still feels something when he shows up in person to reclaim what he's lost.

A disastrous date during his freshman year of college has left Theo Dwyer with no faith in men, relationships, or especially Valentine’s Day. When his roommate sets him up on a blind date, naturally Theo refuses. Then a persistent online suitor known only as TruClrs4vr begins sending Theo flowers and arranging romantic virtual meetings. After his treatment by his ex, Theo is reluctant to trust another man, but the determined TruClrs4vr might be the one to rekindle his passion, one color of the rainbow at a time.

When Aaron refused to discuss getting married, he didn't expect Chris to take it so poorly. They’ve been together twelve years. Aaron thought they’d at least talk about his very valid reasons. Gay marriage isn't even legal in their state, and what do they need a piece of paper for, anyway? When Chris leaves after the fight, Aaron tracks Chris down just in time to see him about to lock lips with a stranger in a club, which drives home the situation’s urgency. Aaron must make things right with Chris. He’s willing to do anything, but their friends’ advice only goes so far, and when he learns what Chris has been hiding, Aaron has to decide if a life with Chris is even an option.

Life comes with a bit of hurt, but luckily for these men, it also comes with the right amount of comfort to mend their breaks, both of the body and the heart. From facing deranged exes to economic trials, the men in these tales have faced trial by fire--or in some cases water--for the right to love and live. Step into their shoes as they rebuild their family after a gutting betrayal or traverse the stars with an unexpected partner. The Mended Daily Dose package delivers stories about all kinds of second chances built on love.

Love comes in many shades, from the sparkling pink of a shared glass of champagne or the faded blue of an old paper heart to the shocking orange of a sports car, and everything in between. Whether they’re revisiting a missed opportunity, mustering the courage to take a chance, or simply playing Cupid from the sidelines, the men in this Valentine’s Day anthology celebrate romance in all its myriad hues. Sometimes soft and subdued, sometimes bright and outrageous, the color of love is different for everyone. Childhood sweethearts, unrequited crushes, friends trying to resist their feelings, strangers who see something in each other at first glance, and even beings from the realm of myth and legend explore every stripe on the rainbow in search of their perfect complement. From sweet to red hot, these stories span the spectrum and revel in the humor, happiness, and hope of the most romantic day of the year.